(VOVworld)-ASEAN Economic Ministers have pledged to building the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 with strengthened human and institutional connectivity.

EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh (center) and Trade Minister Vu Huy Hoang conduct the press conference after the conclusion of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting was organized.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh was addressing a press conference following the conclusion of the 19^th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Hanoi on Saturday:“We have made practical progress after 4 years of building an ASEAN Economic Community. We need to define framework of action to achieve the set target by 2015, especially efforts to narrow development gaps to ensure sustainable development and build up the ASEAN Economic Community.”

As part of the event, delegates at the 12^th ASEAN Economic Ministers-EU Trade Commissioner Consultations discussed ways to facilitate business environment and investment cooperation. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht: “I am optimistic about the integration progress between the EU and ASEAN. EU has been ASEAN’s largest export market while the ASEAN is EU’s 5^th largest trade partner. ASEAN has been one of the most dynamic region in the world.”

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang hails Vietnam’s role as the host of the meetings: “Vietnam has contributed actively in the organization of the events. Both the EU and ASEAN are our important partner in terms of trade and investment. Vietnam commits to promoting economic integration between the two.”

Earlier, the 3rd ASEAN-EU Business Summit gathered foreign and domestic policymakers and international business leaders to discuss potential improvements in areas including the agricultural economy, automobile industry, financial services, information technology, infrastructure/connectivity, and pharmaceuticals.